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How Much Does It Cost to Add on a Room?


The popularity of HGTV and Pinterest prove that homeowners like to dream.

Since winning the lottery is limited to only a few people in the country (as are six-figure salaries), the rest of us need to be realistic. So what does it cost in the Northeast, NYC-metropolitan area to make home additions?

Based on prior jobs, we can give you some basic numbers on adding a room to your home.

Cost per Square Foot

When giving a quick estimate, we say it will be about $170-200 per square foot of addition. That includes:

  • The finished shell with roofing

  • Siding

  • Standard windows

  • Interior stairs

  • Standard tub, toilet and sink

  • Framed rooms with drywall

  • Basic electric and plumbing

It does not take into consideration:

  • Special windows

  • Appliances

  • Big tubs and large showers

  • Kitchen cabinets and cabinet pulls

  • Counter tops

  • Bathroom vanities

  • Fancy entry doors

  • Decks, patios and balconies

  • Tile work

  • Hardwood floors

  • Decorative light fixtures and light bulbs

Possible Cost of Home Additions

One-car detached garage that matches the house siding and roof with an electric garage door, a man-door and rafter storage space: $20-26,000

New entry door and stairs with stonework sidewalk: $8-10,000

New two-bedroom, three-bathroom home with one-car garage and basement, including tearing down the house and digging new basement: $470,000

Add a level with two bedrooms and one full bath, one-car garage with new roof and siding, new deck and Florida room: $155,000

Labor Cost

Some homeowners may choose to buy their own material instead of going through a contractor, but you will still need to pay for labor.

To give you an estimate, we charge $50-60 an hour per person for labor-only jobs. A good carpenter can cost between $17-30 an hour, and a helper is $10-15.

To frame a two-car garage with a room above, labor only will cost about $13,800.

Cost of Materials

Add to all of this the prices of materials and the rising labor costs for an experienced crew, and the overall price will continue to increase.

A square of roofing shingles c